- Aid in pain and symptom management
- Assist with relief of suffering – physical, emotional or psychosocial
- Discuss the course of disease and goals of care
- Assist attending physician, patient or family with clarification of development of supportive plan of care
- Help establish the best possible quality of care as determined by patient and family
- Offer emotional support to patient and family, including anticipatory grief and bereavement counseling
- Review & complete documentation of advance directives
- Explain pros and cons of forgoing specific treatment and/or diagnostic treatments
- Facilitate transition to alternate care settings, such as home, nursing home or hospice when appropriate